Wisconsin Banking Rates and News

BMO Harris Bank is offering a cash bonus of up to $200 for opening a personal checking account with qualifying direct deposit. Like most large banks, BMO Harris doesn't have a free checking account. So if you take advantage of this bonus, you'll have to be careful to avoid monthly service charges.

To qualify for the $200 bonus requires either the BMO Harris Portfolio Checking or the BMO Harris Select Checking. A $150 bonus requires the BMO Harris Everyday Checking.

Here's the link to the bank's promotion page: bmoharris.com/offerchecking2013.

The new checking account must be opened by March 31,...

Bank of the West has recently brought back its $150 checking account promotion. It looks like the same promotion they were offering last summer. Just like the last one, there's also a $200 bonus, but that requires a checking account with high monthly service fees that can't be easily waived. These promotions are listed on Bank of the West's home page.

Details for the $150 bonus are listed in this Bank of the West promotions page. The checking account must be opened by 3/8/2013.

To qualify for the full $150 requires the following:

• Must open a...

AnchorBank is offering another checking account promotion with a bonus of up to $150. The bonus is larger than its summer promotion. This latest offer is listed in the bank's promotion page. It's scheduled to end on December 15, 2012.

The required activities include:

• $50 for setting up direct deposit
• $50 for enrolling in e-statements
• $50 for making three debit card purchases

The direct deposit, e-statement enrollment and debit card purchases must be completed within 60 days of account opening. Existing checking account customers are not eligible for the bonus. Another important note mentioned in the small print...

Superior Choice Credit Union is offering a special 18-month share certificate with a 1.25% APY. Minimum deposit is $10,000, and new money is required. The early withdrawal penalty is 180 days of interest. This CD special is listed at the bottom of the credit union's share certificates rates page as of 10/29/2012.

Credit union membership is open to those who live or work in the Wisconsin counties of Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, and Iron. Also included are parts of the Minnesota counties of St. Louis and Carlton. Please refer to the credit union's membership...

Co-Op Credit Union is offering two CD and IRA CD specials with very competitive rates. These are a 1.25% APY 1-year CD and a 2.00% APY 4-year CD. The rates are 5 basis points higher for IRA CDs. Minimum deposit is $1,000. These rates are listed in the credit union certificates rates page as of 10/10/2012.

The early withdrawal penalty is 90 days of interest for the 1-year term and 180 days for the 4-year CD. This is listed at the bottom of the credit union's fee and disclosure page.

The credit union also offers...

Back in 2011 Connexus Credit Union used to have very competitive CD rates. That changed a year ago when its CD rates had big cuts. Over the last year those CD rates have held steady while the rates at other institutions have fallen. So Connexus CD rates are again competitive. It's one of the few institutions that still offers a 2.00% APY 5-year CD. However, there is an important downside. The top rate requires that you have an active checking account.

One recent change at Connexus is that two new CD terms are listed. A 2-year and 3-year...

Bank of the West has just started a new checking account promotion with a bonus of up to $150. There's also a $200 bonus, but to qualify you must open a checking account that requires a large balance to avoid a high monthly service charge. These promotions are listed on Bank of the West's home page.

Details for the $150 bonus are listed in this Bank of the West promotions page. The checking account must be opened by 8/31/2012.

To qualify for the full $150 requires the following:

• Must open a new Easy Checking, Choice Interest Checking,...

Update 6/11/13: The promotion has regularly been extended. The latest expiration date is 7/27/2013.

PNC Bank has increased its checking account bonus from $100 to $150. It has also made a change to the requirements. As before, customers will have to be careful to avoid fees. One of the qualifying checking accounts is Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend which is an "upgraded" version of Virtual Wallet, and it has potential monthly fees.

Here's the link to PNC's promotion page. The offer is scheduled to end on 7/27/2013 9/30/2012. You can open the account online or choose to have...

AnchorBank is offering another checking account bonus. It's not as nice as the promotion that ended in April, but it's still a good deal. In this new promotion customers can earn up to $100 for opening any new personal checking account and performing certain activities. This offer is listed in the bank's promotion page. It's scheduled to end on 6/30/2012.

The required activities to qualify for the $100 bonus are as follows:

• $50 for direct deposit
• $25 when you sign up for free e-statements
• $25 for making three debit card purchases

The direct deposit, e-statement sign-up and debit card...

PNC Bank continues to offer a $100 bonus for opening its Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and for performing certain activities. PNC has made it a little easier to qualify for the $100 bonus compared to last year. However, customers will have to be careful to avoid fees. The Performance Spend is an "upgraded" version of Virtual Wallet, and it has potential monthly fees.

Here's the link to PNC's promotion page. The offer is scheduled to end on 6/30/2012. You can open the account online or choose to have them email you a coupon to...

Update 9/12/2012: The promotion has been extended to September 19, 2012.

North Shore Bank is offering a $150 bonus when you open a new checking account with Direct Deposit OR 10 qualifying debit card transactions. The offer is listed at bank's promotions page, and it's scheduled to end on 9/19/2012 5/9/2012.

Below is the small print of the offer:

Limit 1 new checking bonus per household per year. Not valid with other offers. Only available until 5/9/12. Other restrictions may apply. $25 initial deposit required with direct deposit to open checking account, otherwise $50. Bonus will be paid out...

Update 5/25/2012: The 5-year Premium Money Market CD rate has fallen. According to the CSR, it's now 1.65% APY (down from 1.80% APY on 5/11). This is for California. Rates may vary for other states.

It's not common to find competitive CD rates at large brick-and-mortar banks, but I found one at Bank of the West. It's offering a 2.00% APY 5-year CD. This is the bank's Premium Money Market CD which requires a $2,500 minimum deposit. The rate isn't listed online, and it may vary by state. I called the bank yesterday (3/27/2012) and verified it for the bank's...